Tom Still: Immigrants good for Wisconsin, report says

This report shows another state that owes much of its good economical health to its immigrant residents.   - - Donna Poisl

by TOM STILL | Wisconsin Technology Council |

Here's an eye-opening statement about Wisconsin's workforce woes that explains why Republicans and Democrats in Washington, D.C., may finally come together over the issue of immigration reform.

"… Even if we are able to retrain Wisconsin's entire unemployed population and match them with available jobs, we will still fall well short of filling the projected 925,000 jobs created or replaced between 2008 and 2018. This is because our working-age population already peaked in 2010 and is projected to continue declining through at least 2035."

That's from a recent report to Gov. Scott Walker from a working group headed by Tim Sullivan, the former Bucyrus International chief executive officer who was asked to study Wisconsin's workforce needs. The conclusion: Immigration is good for the U.S. economy and Wisconsin shouldn't miss the chance to attract talent it needs to remain competitive.
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